The act of “gifting” is more than an art form, its downright scientific. And as with any other experiments, there are bound to be mistakes, unfortunately at the expense of your love ones. Thankfully, there is adidas Originals “Get The Gift” Holiday Campaign this season. Simply visit the special holiday app feature on adidas Originals Facebook page and surprise that hip-hop die hard or fashionista in your life via “Holiday Hook Up” with one of the kind video greeting card from Snoop Dogg or Jeremy Scott. Want to try out your knowledge on adidas kicks? Then click into “Hide & Seek” to put your skills to the test for the chance at a daily prize. Finally, for that utlimate holiday getaway, there is “Holiday Hunt”. Just visit any participating Originals storefronts and search for hidden clues to win. The prizes are VIP trips to see DJ Neil Armstrong in NYC or Kendrick Lamar in LA perform this month. For instructions and rules, just see the videos after the click and have a blast gifting this holiday season.

Once overlooked and dismissed, cadre of new contemporary artists, many of them influenced by street art and graffiti, are now recognized by some of the world’s leading cultural institutions. In 2010, it was KAWS and Adlrich Contemporary Art Museum in Connecticut. This year was the effort by gallerist Jeffrey Deitch and his coup de grace, Art in the Streets, at Los Angeles’ MOCA. Come next year, illustrator Parra will be joining the same procession as San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) presents the artist’s first museum commission in the U.S. Almost completely self taught, the Amsterdam-base artist often presents works with fluidity like that of graffiti and a witty theme to match as well. The Parra exhibition will start on March 31st till July 29th, 2012.

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)
151 Third Street | Map
San Francisco, CA 94103

Exhibition Dates: March 31st, 2012 – July 29th, 2012

After speculations and rumors, including one which coincided with this year’s Black Friday festivities, the veil is finally coming off this Friday morning as Apple opens its fifth retail location in New York City. Situated at Grand Central Terminal on East 42nd Street, where some 70,000+ commuters stream through on a daily basis, the new store will also be the largest Apple Store in the world at 23,000 square-foot. Aside from retail, the store will also be a community hub where customers can receive training in workshops, One to One program, and other amenities. Located on the East Balcony with a new designation as 45 Grand Central Terminal, grand opening festivities will start at 10 am this Friday, December 9th.

Apple Store – Grand Central Terminal
East Balcony
45 Grand Central Terminal | Map
New York, NY 10017
TEL #: 212-284-1800

Opening Date: December 9th, 2011 (Friday)

Just one week after Sneaker Con‘s homecoming engagement in the Big Apple, the premier event for sneaker collectors and aficionados goes coast to coast for a long overdue appointment with the City of Angels. That’s right, Sneaker Con is coming for the first time to Los Angeles, with its King Kong mascot in tow to seek out the Southland’s devoted legion of sneakerheads. Circle your calendar for December 17th, and come to the Los Angeles Convention Center to buy, sell or trade your rare or vintage sneakers. Avoid the overcrowded malls and get your holiday sneaker shopping needs done in one day, because we know sunny Los Angeles has heat to spare.

Sneaker Con
Los Angeles Convention Center
1201 South Figueroa Street | Map
Los Angeles, CA 90015

Event Date: December 17th, 2011 (Saturday)

In light of BE@RBRICK World Wide Tour 2, an exhibition of all-thing related to the popular mini bear-shape figurine, its maker MEDICOM TOY announced a special BE@RBRICK Edition of Nike Air Force 1 Premium. In conjunction with Nike Sportswear, the classic sneaker silhouette is now donned with a lush coat of faux fur in either black or deep brown, as if as a symbolic nod to black bears and grizzly. Highly limited, the MEDICOM TOY x Nike Air Force 1 Premium – BE@RBRICK Edition will be available, along with other BE@RBRICK collectables, at BE@RBRICK World Wide Tour 2 in PARCO Department Store Complex for retail price of ￥15,750 (~ $200 US).

BE@RBRICK World Wide Tour 2
PARCO – Shibuya
Part 1 B1F Event Space | Map
15-1 Udagawa-cho
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Japan

Exhibition Dates: December 3rd, 2011 (Saturday) – December 12th, 2011 (Monday)

To mark its upcoming 140th anniversary, Heineken recently launched a global challenge inviting all those who like to mix art with alcohol to design their bottle of the future. The event, which is organized through Facebook, will be open until January 31, 2012 and invites entrants to create a bottle design that symbolizes how people around the world will connect in the next 140 years. The two top designs will be selected and their creators will have the opportunity to pair up to design another bottle together – making friends of two complete strangers much like Heineken has done for years. The winner’s designs will be launched in an exclusive, Limited Edition pack sold around the world in celebration of Heineken’s anniversary.

To enter the competition, designers should first visit Heineken’s Facebook page and download the design brief and toolkit. Completed designs can then be uploaded to an online gallery where a judging panel made up of top designers from around the world will choose the top design.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is honoring Steve Jobs with a free exhibition entitled The Patents and Trademarks of Steve Jobs: Art and Technology that Changed the World. This exhibition focuses on the numerous patents and trademarks, around 300 in fact, for which Jobs was the registered inventor or co-inventor. Often overshadowed by his entrepreneurship, Jobs not only led Apple on the business grounds but also on a front of technological innovation as well. A non-profit organization, Invent Now, Inc., initiated this exhibition on the USPTO campus in the Madison building, and it will be displayed until January 15th, 2012.

USPTO Headquarters
Madison Buildings (East & West) | Map
600 Dulany Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

Exhibition Dates: November 16th, 2011 (Wednesday) – January 15th, 2012 (Sunday)

After trailblazing around cities in the East Coast, New York City will once again play host for the latest round of Sneaker Con. Mark Saturday, December 10th on your calender as this might be the perfect timing to snatch up some gifts for your family, friends or even a little something for yourself. There is bound to be a record number of rare and prized sneakers for sellers, traders and buyers from fellow sneaker connoisseurs. As there is only few weeks away, it is time to sort out your sneaker inventory or start making a list of kicks you are missing in your collection.

Sneaker Con
151 Sullivan Street | Map
(bet. Houston And Prince Street)
New York, NY 10002

Event Date: December 10th, 2011 (Saturday)

It is that time of the year again, where the art world turns to Miami for the four-day art fair, Art Basel Miami. That means OHWOW will be hosting their own satellite exhibition at their space in the Miami Design District. Now in its fourth year, the group exhibition this time around is entitled, It Ain’t Fair 2011: Materialism, with the focus on materialism as a theme. Over twenty artists will participate; these include: Daniel Arsham, Justin Beal, Anna Betbeze, Ashley Bickerton, Scott Campbell, Peter Coffin, Dan Colen, N. Dash, Sam Falls, Michael Genovese, Luis Gispert, Angel Otero, José Parlá, Sara Rahbar, Ryan Reggiani, Bert Rodriguez, Amanda Ross-Ho, Aurel Schmidt, David Benjamin Sherry, Lucien Smith, Agathe Snow, Jessica Stockholder, Nick van Woert, and Aaron Young. During the opening reception, New York-based artist Michael David Quattlebaum Jr. will hold a special live performance as well. Don’t miss this opportunity to check out some great artwork if you are in Miami.

OHWOW
81 NE 40th Street | Map
Miami Design District. FL 33137

Exhibition Dates: December 1st, 2011 (Thursday) – December 4th, 2011 (Monday)

Opening Reception: Thursday, December 1st | 6pm – 9pm

The Hundreds is partnering with Ron English on a capsule collection made up of three different T-shirt designs, each inspired by an original painting from the artist. A fixture in contemporary pop art, English is known for turning recognizable marketing trademarks on their head. His pieces dabble in the worlds of politics, pop culture and consumerism through a photo-surrealist prism. His collection for The Hundreds feature tees — “Smiley,” “Rabbit,” and “Cowgirl” — that clearly demonstrate his subversive and neo-surrealist style. They’re scheduled to drop this Thursday at all Hundreds chapter locations. Additionally, the artist himself will make an in-store appearance at The Hundreds Santa Monica this Sunday for a signing reception. Click through for more looks.

Release Date: November 17th, 2011 (Thursday)

For some, life is a voyage filled with winding trails. For a few though, it is a blur of opportunities, a race to the top. In catering to the demands of these go-getters, outerwear label Penfield will be organizing a one-of-a-kind scavenger hunt, all done through the vast jungle of the Internet. Titled “Race for the Summit,” the project highlights the ever-functional aspect of the New England classic’s influence in the fashion realm, and a celebration of the label’s original – the Penfield Summit Down Insulated Jacket.

The first clue will begin to circulate through Penfield’s own website this Thursday, November 17th, followed by a second one on Penfield’s Facebook and Twitter pages. Then, the clues will lead participants thorough a virtual journey of related pursuits and interests, from outdoor lifestyle, cutting edge musical acts, Americana staples, to contemporary fashion. Along the way, participants will get the opportunity to submit their answers on penfieldusa.com. The correct ones will unveil a new set of clues.

Of course, there are more than bragging rights at stake. Runner-ups will get the chance to win one of 20 Penfield Sanford Beanies, 5 Penfield Outback Down Vests, or 3 Penfield Summit Down Parkas. And the winner will get a custom-made “Race to the Summit” premium down parka. The contest is to start this Thursday, November 17th, and will run until Monday, December, 19th. Winners will be announced on Tuesday, December 20th. Best of luck to all those participating.

Contest Start Date: November 17th, 2011 (Thursday)
Contest End Date: December 19th, 2011 (Monday)

Winners Announcement: December 20th, 2011 (Tuesday)